Absolute Bang for the buck smartphones under 50K

Are you Looking for a decent smartphone but don’t want to shell out a lot? Then you’re at the right place! Choosing a right smartphone is something that always boggles our mind. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Our list is small yet effective as we have not covered 10 or 15 smartphones like everyone else is doing in the name of best to further complicate your choice.

While our list only has 5 smartphones, each and every smartphone that we have selected offers an unmatched performance at their price bracket. Either you are looking for a gaming smartphone or a beautiful daily driver, we have included something for each and every reason you can count. So, stick up with us by the end to find which one of them is your perfect match for the day.

1. Samsung S10 lite

If you plan to buy a mid-ranger or a premium smartphone, the first brand to consider should be Samsung. And why not? Their after-sales support is 10x better than what any other brand is offering, today.

The Galaxy S10 Lite comes with an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Processor topped at 2.8 GHz with Adreno 640 GPU with 8GB RAM. It has 128GB UFS 3.0 Storage which is expandable up to 1TB. Its battery capacity is 4500mAh which can last for up to 2 days and comes equipped with 25W fast charging out of the box.

It also supports 45W Superfast charging but you’ll have to spend an additional Rs.2,999 ($41.74) to get a 45W adapter.

Display

We have always been flattered with Samsung’s screens, the brand has never disappointed us in this sense. Galaxy S10 Lite flaunts a beautiful 6.7 inch (16.95cm) FHD+ Infinity-O Super AMOLED Plus display with HDR10+ which lets you see the world the way its captured and delivers a true-to-life viewing experience.

Camera

The S10 Lite features a triple-camera setup with 48MP Primary camera with up to 8x digital zoom + 12MP Ultra-wide angle camera with 123° field of view and a 5MP Macro Camera for uncovering the finest details of any object with up to 4cm viewing range. For selfies it houses a 32MP front snapper.

For an enhanced video recording with its S10 Lite, Samsung has come up with a new advance Super steady OIS which lets you capture unwavering videos.

Pricing

The Galaxy S10 Lite is put in motion at Rs. 39,999 ($559.50) for its (8GB + 128GB) varient.

Pros

1. Flat and large AMOLED panel with HDR10+.
2. Amazing fast charging solution.
3. Excellent battery life.

Cons

1. Presence of telephoto lens could have made this a better choice.
2. No 3.5mm audio jack
3. Not waterproof.

2. Realme X2 Pro

All other phones in the market are having a tough competition after Realme launched its X2 Pro. The X2 Pro shook up the entire smartphone world with its capabilities and it’s definitely a worthy champion in mid-ranged smartphone league.

Realme X2 Pro boasts the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor clocked at 2.96GHz + Adreno 640 GPU at 700 MHz. It offers 8GB RAM and 128GB with UFS 3.0 Storage for the base variant. X2 pro’s battery capacity is 4000mAh with 10W fast charger out of the box. It also offers 50W SuperVOOC Flash charge with the charger sold separately.

The main highlights of the Realme X2 Pro are its Vapor cooling chamber and Tactile Engine Motor

Realme certainly has a highly improved cooling performance with its vapor cooling and it is definitely is a next-level tech efficiently preventing your phone from overheating and delivering peak performance. 

The tactile engine motor offers an immersive experience with textured vibration for multidirectional gaming.

Display

Just like the other aspects, Realme has seriously focused on the screen as well! Realme X2 Pro comes with a beautiful 6.5 inch (16.5cm) FHD+ Super AMOLED display with HDR10+ for precise colors, higher contrast ratio which looks gorgeous in every way.

Camera

It packs a Quad camera setup with 64MP Samsung GW1 sensor for ultra-detailed photos with (9280x6944) resolution and up to 20x Hybrid zoom + 13MP Telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom + 8MP Wide angle lens and a 2MP Portrait lens. The photos come crisp and clear even after zooming in.

Pricing

Realme X2 Pro is priced at Rs. 27,999 for the base variant (6GB + 64GB), Rs. 29,999 for the (8GB + 128GB) variant and Rs. 33,999 for the top variant (12GB +256GB).

Pros

1. One of the best in-display fingerprint readers.
2. Superb stereo speakers.
3. Undisputed SuperVOOC flash charging.
4. Good battery life.

Cons

1. Phone gets warm when charged with 50W Charger.
2. No expandable storage option available.
3. Night mode is not that good.

3. Oneplus 7T

Oneplus, famous since its debut, has a history of delivering quality devices and has been a successful identity in creating its own Oneplus community. Oneplus has climbed all the way up from Rs. 21,999 (Oneplus One) to Rs. 53,999 (Oneplus 7T Pro).

Just like its Tag line, The brand Never Settles. Oneplus 7T is geared with an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ clocked at 2.96 GHz with Adreno 640 at 700MHz which in its own sense is a flagship benchmark. It offers 8GB RAM and 128GB UFS 3.0 storage for the basic variant and packs a 3800mAh battery that supports 30T fast charging.

Display

7T comes with a 6.55 inch (2400x1080) resolution fluid AMOLED display from Samsung with 20:9 aspect ratio which has refresh rate of 90Hz. Oneplus 7 series was the first smartphone series furnished with new in town, 90Hz refresh rate display panels. The display also supports HDR10+ for a more immersive viewing and gaming experience.

Camera

Oneplus 7T comes equipped with a triple camera setup. It houses a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor with OIS and EIS and an advanced ultra-shot engine. + 12MP Telephoto lens with 2x Optical Zoom and a 16MP Ultra-wide camera with 117° field of view. Its camera is capable of capturing extraordinary macro shots.

Pricing

The Oneplus 7T is priced at Rs. 34,999 ($488.75) for the basic (8GB + 128GB) and Rs. 37,999 ($530.65) for the top variant (8GB + 256GB).

Pros

1. Fast fingerprint scanner.
2. Oxygen OS is more customizable than before.

Cons

1. 3.5mm jack is absent.
2. No IP Rating for added protection.

4. Asus ROG 2

If we have to ever talk about a gaming phone, the first name to come to our mind is none other than the Asus ROG II. It is undoubtedly a dream come true for hardcore gamers. It boasts the powerful Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor clocked at 2.96GHz with Adreno 640 GPU at 700MHz and is offered with 8GB RAM and UFS 3.0 128GB storage for the basic variant and goes all up to 12GB RAM and up to 1TB of storage. Yes, you heard it right! Afterall, it’s made to dominate.

The main highlights of this beast include an Advanced Multi-level cooling, GameCool II with a 3D vapor chamber, copper heat sink and external vents for excellent heat dissipation during heavy gaming and Ultra-sonic Air Triggers II for console like gaming. Its safe to say that the ROG II outperforms in every situation you throw at it.

The Asus ROG 2 is backed with the world’s first, massive 6000mAh battery with ROG Hyper charge (quick charge 4.0 30W) and PD 3.0 charging support which keeps you fueled up to the top.

Display

ROG II comes with a 6.59 inch (16.74 cm) 10 bits AMOLED HDR display which has around 1 billion colours (2340x1080) resolution with Gorilla Glass 6 protection as a cherry on the cake. It features the world’s fastest 120Hz/1ms refresh rate with 10 point multi-touch, lowest touch latency and it also supports glove touch. The display also supports always on and has a highly reduced blue light exposure.

Camera

It comes with a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor with Quad Bayer tech with 79° field of view and a 13MP Ultra-wide camera with 125° field of view with real time distortion correction.

Pricing

The Asus ROG II is priced at Rs. 37,999 ($530.65) for the base (8GB + 128GB) variant, Rs. 59,999 ($837.87) for the (12GB + 512GB) variant and goes all up to Rs. 76,999 ($1069.99) for the top (12GB + 1TB) variant.

Pros

1. One of the best speakers on a smartphone till date.
2. Amazingly peaked performance with state-of-the-art cooling tech.
3. All-rounder camera.

Cons

1. The heavy weight and a very slippery body takes time to get used to and poses a threat of getting damaged after a drop.
2. Lacks an official IP Rating.
3. No expandable storage.
4. Under-display fingerprint is not reliable.

5. Oppo Reno 2

In case, you’re looking for a smartphone that catches the eye, then Reno 2 is one of best choice to consider, it offers flagship level aesthetics with its distinct pop-up camera. It is powered by Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset with Adreno 618 GPU. Its battery capacity is 4000mAh with 20W VOOC Flash charge 3.0. It offers 8GB RAM and 128GB storage for the basic variant.

The prime highlight of this phone if undoubtedly the ‘Shark-fin’ camera pop-up design which attracts attention. It swivels out at a perfect 11° angle which is just phenomenal.

Display

Reno 2 comes with a 6.5 inch (16.6 cm) AMOLED Panoramic screen (2400x1080) resolution with Rounded corners and offers 93.1% screen to body ratio. Oppo had made Reno 2’s screen as well as body durable with the addition of Corning Gorilla glass 6 for the front panel and Gorilla glass 5 for the back panel as added protection which can be a trade-off.

Camera

Reno 2 features a Quad-camera setup with a 48MP Ultra-clear Sony IMX586 sensor which offers up to 20x Digital Zoom and has OIS and EIS. + 13MP Telephoto lens with 5x hybrid zoom + 8MP Wide angle lens with 116° field of view. + 2MP mono lens for bokeh in portrait mode shots. For zooming, it has a fusion imaging tech which lets you switch seamlessly through different perspectives and can prove to be to pick to the photography lovers out there. For selfies, it packs a 16MP front snapper.

Pricing

The Reno 2 series has been around for a few months now and is offered at a price of Rs. 36,990 ($513.88) for (8GB + 256GB).

Pros

1. Unconventional design for the pop-up camera.
2. Great battery life with fast charging option.
3. Excellent camera.

Cons

1. Sloppy volume rockers and power buttons.
2. Video stabilization needs some work.
3. Not Official IP rating.

Our Choice

In the end, I stand with the Realme X2 Pro. We all are already aware of Realme’s endowment of bringing its low-end and mid-range smartphones to super success. Beyond shadow of doubt, X2 Pro offers flagship-grade performance and falls undeniably into the affordable flagship league. Having an undisputed fast charging with up to 50W SuperVOOC and unimaginably fast gaming experience makes this device a perfect payoff.